What Is The Most Expensive Perfume in the World?

Updated on October 11, 2014

Chanel No 5 Bottle

The World’s Top Perfumes

Do you spend a lot of money on luxury perfume? If so, have you ever wondered what the most expensive perfume in the world is? I don’t know about you, but if I am dressing up to go out, I never feel that I am completely ready until I have sprayed myself with my favourite perfume. Fragrance is something that I will never scrimp on and I always have good quality perfume.

But while I like to splash out on perfume, there are some luxury fragrances out there in the top stores that you need to be seriously rich to be able to afford. Fragrance has been used since ancient times, when incense and burning fragrant resins and aromatic woods was used during religious ceremonies.

The ancient Egyptians used frankincense, myrrh and cassia and it is believed that the ancient Greeks introduced the first liquid perfumes. The development of modern chemistry in the nineteenth century led to the development of modern scents, and they have evolved from single floral fragrances such as rose, lilac, jasmine or lavender into the complex perfumes that we have today, with many fragrance notes and overtones.

Of course, if you are going to produce an expensive, luxury perfume, you will need to put it in an equally beautiful, elegant container, and the top perfume makers were soon using crystal manufacturers such as Lalique and Baccarat to create exquisite and unique perfume bottles for them.

What Makes a Perfume Expensive?

So what is it that makes an expensive perfume expensive? It is a combination of the cost of the ingredients, the cost of the bottle and the packaging and the name of the maker. Some of the most expensive perfumes in the world use very costly and rare ingredients to make them so special, and these include Tahitian vanilla, sandalwood, oakmoss, ambergris, and vetivert.

Certain flowers, such as orange flowers, rose and jasmine, give us the most expensive perfume oils, which are known as ‘absolute’ and every top fragrance contains a percentage of at least one of these oils. The exact ingredients and formula of luxury fragrances is kept a very strict secret for commercial reasons, but there are some broad traditional classifications that they fall into.

These classifications are single floral, floral bouquet, oriental, wood, leather, chypre and fougere. Top luxury perfumes are also sold in exquisitely produced bottles, which are made from the finest crystal, with stoppers made of gold and silver and often set with diamonds and other precious gemstones. In fact some fragrance bottles are so beautiful and precious, that they become collector’s items in their own right and can fetch huge amounts of money at auction.

The name of a top maker or designer on the bottle also allows a luxury perfume to have a higher price tag, and names like Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Jean Patou and Hermes are on some of the most expensive perfumes in the world.

The World’s Most Expensive Perfume

Well, the most expensive fragrance in the world at this present time is No 1 by Clive Christian, for which you can expect to pay around £2,700 for a bottle. No 1 by Clive Christian has the distinction of being recorded in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s most expensive perfume and if £2,700 is not expensive enough for you, then you can upgrade to the Imperial Majesty edition of this fragrance which is presented in a bottle made of Baccarat crystal set with a superlative diamond on the neck.

A bottle of Imperial Majesty No1 will set you back over £100,000, but only if you can get hold of one of the only ten bottles ever produced. No 1 by Clive Christian is only ever created in tiny quantities, so only 1,000 bottles of No 1 for Women and No 1 for Men are ever released onto the market every year. Clive Christian, a British producer of luxury furniture, only entered the world of exclusive fragrance when he bought the Crown Perfume Company in 2000. The Crown Perfume Company was founded in the 19th century and their scents were a firm favourite with Queen Victoria, which is how they acquired their crown emblem.

What is your favourite designer fragrance?

Some Other Incredibly Expensive Perfumes

One of the world’s most iconic fragrances is Joy by Jean Patou. Joy was created in 1929 by Henri Almeras for the Parisian designer Jean Patou. Even though it was incredibly expensive and launched at the height of the Depression, it was an instant success and became very popular.

Joy is regarded as one of the great floral fragrances in the world, and is created from a sublime blend of jasmine and roses. One of the reasons that Joy sells at such a high price, around $800 for an ounce, is that that it takes 28 dozen roses and 10,000 jasmine flowers to create just 30ml of the fragrance.

Of course, no discussion of the world’s most expensive and exclusive perfumes would be complete without mentioning Chanel No 5. Chanel No 5 might not be the costliest fragrance in the world today, although a bottle of Chanel No 5 parfum will still set you back in the region of $235 for a 100ml, but it is surely the most famous.

The name Chanel No 5 is synonymous with elegance, style and beautiful women, and has been the perfume of choice for the rich and fashionable since it was introduced to the world in 1921 by the Parisian fashion house Chanel, which was headed by the famous designer Coco Chanel. Chanel No 5 is one of the world’s best selling brands, despite its high price tag, and on an average day a bottle of Chanel No 5 is being sold somewhere around the globe every thirty seconds.

Chanel have now launched an even more expensive version of their famous perfume.called the 'Grand Extrait', it will cost a staggering £2700 a bottle.and is described as a rare collectible fragrance. So why is the new edition so expensive? Well apparently all in the bottle, as the No 5 formula has not been changed. The bottle for the new 'Grand Extrait' are crafted in a special mould which is then placed in a sleek, hand-crafted case.

There are many other incomparable fragrances on the market today, including Fracas by the designer Robert Piguet, Notorious by Ralph Lauren, Nahema and Mitsuoko by Guerlain, and Sensi by Giorgio Armani, all of which are very expensive and beautifully packaged.

A beautiful bottle of expensive perfume is a wonderful gift to receive, especially if it is one that you have made your signature fragrance. Nothing beats going into a big department store or design house and choosing your favourite scent, but these days you also have the option of selecting your favourite brand online.

It may surprise you, but Amazon has a great selection of exclusive and designer luxury fragrances, so why not look online today to see if you can find your favourite. It is the perfect romantic gift to give to the one you love, so if you gentlemen are stuck for ideas on what to buy your beloved for Christmas or Valentine’s Day, then why not gift wrap that special bottle of the luxury fragrance that she has always dreamed of wearing and slip it under the Christmas Tree or leave it on her pillow on Valentine’s Day morning?

Comments 51 comments

Thanks for reading the hub on expensive perfume and leaving a great comment Hackslap. I supposed to some lucky people 2,500 quid is small change and some of the bottle are works of art in themselves. After all you wouldn't throw away a bottle with diamonds and rubies in the stopper? I hope we all get to enjoy some of this luxurious fragrance at some time in our lives!

Hackslap 2 years ago from Sydney, Australia

I was aware of outrageously priced perfumes but didn't know Chanel had one which cost in excess of 2,500 quid! . oh well .. you save bottles like that for very very special occasions just like the rare corked wines .. interesting hub and voted up!

CMHypno 4 years ago from Other Side of the Sun Author

Thanks for reading the hub and leaving such a great comment jamila sahar, and I'm glad that you found it interesting. Also a big thanks for sharing your favourite perfumes with us

jamila sahar 4 years ago

lovely interesting hub ! i am not at all surprised by the results of the poll. i use chanel no. 5 everyday !!! i love this fragrance and my mom used it as well. occasionally i will use coco chanel which is exquisite as well a more oriental scent which i always receive numerous compliments and what is the name of the fragrance you are wearing? a close second would be shalimar then gucci rush ! many thanks for sharing especially about the history of fragrances and perfumes !

CMHypno 5 years ago from Other Side of the Sun Author

Glad that you enjoyed the hub and that you like expensive perfume - we all need a few of life's little luxuries!

gmwilliams 5 years ago from the Greatest City In The World-New York City, New York

Glad that you enjoyed reading about expensive perfume Paradise7. Perfume is the one thing that I cannot be without and wear every day, even if I'm just staying at home. It's nice to find your own favourite perfume, so keep on enjoying the patchouli.

Paradise7 5 years ago from Upstate New York

Loved this hub. I like reading about really, really expensive things, and I also have my own perfumes, that I adore and wouldn't go out without. Patchouli is my fragrance, and it's expensive enough for me!

CMHypno 5 years ago from Other Side of the Sun Author

Hi Stephen, it sure does cost a lot to smell nice, but you can often find a good deal on Amazon! Thanks for reading about expensive perfume and leaving a comment

StephenSMcmillan 5 years ago

I am amazed with their prices!WOW. I better get one on Christmas. Perhaps, there is a sale price on this. :D

CMHypno 5 years ago from Other Side of the Sun Author

Hi suejanet, thanks for reading about expensive perfume. Chanel No 5 is a classic fragrance, and I doubt if it will ever go out of style!

suejanet 5 years ago

I have always loved chanel No. 5 and always will.

CMHypno 5 years ago from Other Side of the Sun Author

Glad you are a Chanel No 5 fan upal19. Thanks for reading the hub and leaving a comment

upal19 5 years ago from Dhaka

Oww chanel no 5. Really nice.

CMHypno 5 years ago from Other Side of the Sun Author

I hope that you get your Chanel No 5 in the end fayehelen! Thanks for reading about expensive perfume and leaving a great comment!

fayehelen 5 years ago

My boyfriend said to me last night, 'sorry I haven't been able to get you any Chantelle No 5 for Christmas, it was too expensive!' aaaw, no worries it was Chanel No 5 I wanted :P I may have to make him read this hub so he can save up for next year ! hehe. Thanks for sharing!

CMHypno 5 years ago from Other Side of the Sun Author

So you are a Chanel No 5 guy @MagicBoy? Glad that you enjoyed reading about exclusive fragrances - there really is nothing like expensive perfume!

@MagicBoy 5 years ago from Qatar

Hey, wonderfully written and very informative..I have always loved when women wear Chanel 5, it turns me on anytime..The line of perfumes from Burberry are also great one to have in ones collection..Thanks for sharing..Cheers

CMHypno 6 years ago from Other Side of the Sun Author

Thanks for reading the hub on the world's most expensive perfume AutumnLockwood - wouldn't it be great if we could all wear perfume that expensive every day!

AutumnLockwood 6 years ago from Northern California

I wish I can any of the perfumes you've mentioned. Great hub!

CMHypno 6 years ago from Other Side of the Sun Author

Hi jcales, I agree with you that there is a lot of expensive things out there that we have never heard of! Thanks for reading the hub and leaving a great comment

CMHypno 6 years ago from Other Side of the Sun Author

Hi nicnac, glad that you enjoyed reading about expensive perfume. I hope that your future will be drenched in Chanel No 5!

jcales 6 years ago

I never heard of that one. That seems to be the way it is for expensive items.

nicnac 6 years ago from Ireland

Really interesting hub on expensive perfumes!! next time i spray my Chanel Chance il tell myself its as exclusive and as good as chanel No. 5 - amazing perfumes! great article on something close to every womans heart!

CMHypno 6 years ago from Other Side of the Sun Author

Well I hope that you get to enjoy lots of beautiful perfume in the future SJKSJK. Thanks for reading the hub on expensive perfume and leaving a wonderful comment

SJKSJK 6 years ago from delray beach, florida

I love good perfume and buy it when I can. Unfortunately not too often. Enjoyed your hub, very well written.

CMHypno 6 years ago from Other Side of the Sun Author

Hi ldparker10, maybe you should put a very expensive bottle of perfume on your Christmas list? Thanks for reading the hub and leaving a great comment

CMHypno 6 years ago from Other Side of the Sun Author

Glad that you enjoyed the hub on expensive perfume Miffy09, and I hope that you do get to have a bottle of Clive Christian No 1 to enjoy one day.

ldparker10 6 years ago

i wish i had the money to splash out on an incredible perfume!!! cool hub x

Miffy09 6 years ago from Perth, Australia

What's a great hub, I thoroughly enjoyed, thank you for a great read.I adore and love my perfume purchases and feel greedy for wanting to spend so much and have the best. But sounds like Im a grain of sand in a huge sandpit, I feel better!

CMHypno 6 years ago from Other Side of the Sun Author

Hi hattersmen, it would be very crushing if you spent £1000 on a bottle of perfume as a gift for someone and they didn't like the smell! Hope you get a spray of this perfume sometime! Thanks for the read and the great comment.

hattersmen 6 years ago

Wow! I wonder about the smell. If i will see that in person, i am sure i will be excited to spray it in my body :) Nice post CMHypno!

CMHypno 6 years ago from Other Side of the Sun Author

Hi Doctor De5teig, $1000 seems crazy to you and me for a bottle of perfume, but I suppose to some people spending that much money on fine fragrance isn't an issue. Thanks for the read and the comment

CMHypno 6 years ago from Other Side of the Sun Author

Well I hope that you find a bottle of No 1 by Clive Christian complete with diamond in your Christmas stocking this year, yenajeon

yenajeon 6 years ago from California

Being over the top myself, I would LOVE to have the luxury of owning the special edition baccarat crystal with diamond clive christian no 1!

HOW extravagant!

CMHypno 6 years ago from Other Side of the Sun Author

Hey, we are all worth it Lender3212000! Maybe Santa will pop some of the world's most expensive perfume in our Christmas stocking this Christmas!

lender3212000 6 years ago from Beverly Hills, CA

Wow, and I thought I was an expensive one to maintain. Guess I still have some room to grow : )

CMHypno 6 years ago from Other Side of the Sun Author

Thanks for reading the Hub on expensive perfumes Ingenira, these fabulous fragrances are so expensive because of the quality of the perfume oils used in them, the crystal bottles and this one is even studded with a real diamond.

Ingenira 6 years ago

£2,700 for a bottle. No 1 by Clive Christian perfume ! Amazing. It's like buying gold or diamond. I wonder why they are so expensive.

CMHypno 6 years ago from Other Side of the Sun Author

There is nothing quite like wonderful expensive perfume, Greenbambinis. Thanks for reading the hub on the world's most expensive perfume

Greenbambinis 6 years ago from Chicago IL

some of these are absolutely intoxicating =)

CMHypno 6 years ago from Other Side of the Sun Author

You are really missing out on perfume Brian, as there is nothing that can beat an exquisite fragrance. Thanks for leaving a great comment

CMHypno 6 years ago from Other Side of the Sun Author

Hope we both get to try the Clive Christian No 1 at some time, vijassingal2002. Thanks for reading about the most expensive perfume

CMHypno 6 years ago from Other Side of the Sun Author

I think that after all your hard work hubbing this year, Hello, hello that you deserve the biggest, most expensive bottle of perfume there is! Thanks for reading the hub

BrianS 6 years ago from Castelnaudary, France

Perfume is completely wasted on me as I have no sense of smell. Can't help thinking I am missing out seriously as a result of this. Interesting hub though and a good insight into perfume.

vikassingal2002 6 years ago from India

Will try some day....seems nice

Hello, hello, 6 years ago from London, UK

Now I know what to buy for Christmas.

CMHypno 6 years ago from Other Side of the Sun Author

Hi gracenotes, I love fragrance, but would currently cannot spend hundreds of dollars on it. I wear D&G Light Blue and French Lime Blossom from the British perfumer Jo Malone (lovely floral fragrances). Thanks for reading about expensive fragrances, and maybe we will both find some great perfume in our Christmas Stocking this year!

gracenotes 6 years ago from North Texas

I haven't craved the most expensive perfumes, but I do love fragrances. Of those for which you have Amazon listings, I've tried Cashmere Mist by Donna Karan -- it has kind of a suede undertone, believe it or not. I also like L'Eau d'Issey. But my favorites are (1) chypre and (2) fresh scents. I think Givenchy has some of the best creations.

CMHypno 6 years ago from Other Side of the Sun Author

I'm sure that after Santa has checked his list twice, there will be a very expensive bottle of perfume under the Christmas Tree for you this year, katiem2. Glad you enjoyed reading about the top perfumes

katiem2 6 years ago from I'm outta here

WOW, I've been really good this year so the most expensive perfume in all the world is def going on my Christmas list. Thanks for the great review of the best perfumes of all the world. :)